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Board of Education

About the Board

Seven citizens elected by the residents of the Colonial School District serve as the Board of Education. Collectively they set the direction and develop policy for schools that serve approximately 10,000 students. Each lives in a separate election district, though all are elected at large. They serve five-year terms, with the terms staggered so only one or two seats on the board are open yearly. Elections are held in May with newly elected members taking their seats in July.

Besides attending and voting at monthly public meetings, the Board members spend a great deal of time reviewing documents, plans, and issues. They also attend regular workshop meetings at which they explore educational issues. Members are active in state and national organizations, attending seminars and workshops to build their skills and knowledge.

Each June, Board of Education members indicate that students have successfully completed their educational requirements by proudly presenting a diploma to each graduate.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Board is to establish policy and align resources to ensure that the district’s professional leadership, in partnership with families and the community, establishes a productive, safe educational environment in which to develop informed, responsible, productive citizens.

Expectations
The Board will:

  • Communicate openly and honestly
  • Maintain confidentiality of internal discussions
  • Form decisions through consensus
  • Support group decisions
Joseph T. Laws

Joseph T. Laws

President

PO Box 346
St Georges, DE  19733
(302) 834-8687

District: F

Term:
Started service: July 1, 2006
Current term start: July 1, 2021
Current term ends: June 30, 2026

joseph.laws@colonial.k12.de.us

Christopher Piecuch, Sr.

Christopher Piecuch, Sr.

Vice President

19 Caxton Drive
New Castle, DE  19720
302-229-8450

District: D

Term:
Started service: August 1, 2020
Current term start: August 1, 2020
Current term ends: June 30, 2025

christopher.piecuch@colonial.k12.de.us

Ronald D. Handy, Sr.

Ronald D. Handy, Sr.

Board Member

26 Halcyon Drive
New Castle, DE  19720

302-983-6980

District: A

Term:
Started service: July 1, 2018
Current term start: August 1, 2018
Current term ends: June 30, 2023

rdhandy@colonial.k12.de.us

Christine L. Smith

Christine L. Smith

Board Member

26 West Fourth St.
New Castle, DE 19720
302-322-4282

District B 

Term:
Started service: January 1, 2022
Current term start: July 1, 2022
Current term ends: June 30, 2025

christinel.smith@colonial.k12.de.us

Richard Schiller

Richard Schiller

Board Member

1202 Washington Street
New Castle, DE 19720
302-323-2700

District: C

Term:
Started service: October 13, 2020
Current term start: July 1, 2021
Current term ends: June 30, 2026

richard.schiller@colonial.k12.de.us

Dr. Keenan D. Dorsey

Dr. Keenan D. Dorsey

Board Member

4 Cavallero Court,
New Castle, DE 19720
302-897-3412

District: E

Term:
Started service: July 1, 2022
Current term start: July 1, 2022
Current term ends: June 30, 2026

keenan.dorsey@colonial.k12.de.us

Robin Crossan

Robin Crossan

Board Member

903 Clydesdale Dr.
Bear, DE 19701
302-834-5393

District: G

Term:
Started service: July 1, 2018
Current term start: July 1, 2019
Current term ends: June 30, 2024

racrossan@colonial.k12.de.us

Adrianna Hutton

Adrianna Hutton

Student Board Member

William Penn High School

Regular Meetings are normally the Second Tuesday of Each Month
  • Meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of William Penn High School unless otherwise announced.
  • Special meetings may be called periodically.
  • All meetings will be posted in accordance with state law.

Public Comment at Board Meetings
Anyone attending virtually desiring to speak publicly, must do so in person at the meeting

  • All rules for public comment will still apply and a maximum of 3 minutes will still be allotted. You will be called upon when it is your turn to speak.
Regular Meeting DateRegular Meeting Location
March 14, 2023 at 7:00 pmWilliam Penn High School and YouTube
April 18, 2023 at 7:00 pmWilliam Penn High School and YouTube
May 9, 2023 at 7:00 pmWilliam Penn High School and YouTube
June 13, 2023 at 7:00 pmWilliam Penn High School and YouTube
July 11, 2023 at 7:00 pmWilliam Penn High School and YouTube
August 8, 2023 at 7:00 pmWilliam Penn High School and YouTube

Board Docs and Meeting Minutes

Beginning June 1, 2011, the Colonial School District began using a paperless Board Agenda software program for providing Board Members, Administrators, and the Public access to the Board Agendas using the Internet.

To access the website, the public should go to www.boarddocs.com/de/colsd/Board.nsf and enter the site in the Public View.